bun to stay in oven (as long as possible)

a little pregnancy update... I had some contractions earlier this week and my cervix is partially effaced (thinned) (that's not good) but not dilated (opened) at all (that is good). My doc put me on meds to stop the contractions and did a test for fetal fibronectin (a baby-is-ready-to-come-out protein), which came out negative, which is good. That means there is very little chance I would deliver in the next two weeks. But just to be safe, he put me on the meds to stop the contractions and ordered "couch potato activity," which is much more lenient than bedrest, but I'm still supposed to take it easy, so the doctor ordered no more work. I'm pretty glad about that since my job has been getting extremely boring since they tightened our lending guidelines and outsourced my job overseas! We were pretty scared there for a while when the doctor sent me to the birthing center for monitoring and the FFN test, but very relieved that there is a simple solution!! Praise the Lord!!

I will be going to the doctor Tuesdays and Fridays for twice weekly checkups and contraction monitoring. I am 32 weeks along (almost 33 now), so if Micah was born today, he would be just fine in the NICU, but we wouldn't be able to take him home right away. If he can make it to 34 weeks, his lungs will be more well developed, and he would have a better time all around. If he makes it to 37 weeks or more, he would be considered full term, and would probably come home with us after the typical 2 day hospital stay, maybe with a little jaundice. So, please pray that this little bun stays in the oven until he's fully baked!!

sadness... and yet, strength

My (Nicole's) dad passed away unexpectedly on August 23rd. I had thought he would live forever, and on the other hand, he always seemed so fragile. The coroner declared it a heart attack, he died in his sleep at home. I think he would be happy about that, he wouldn't have wanted to be in a hospital for a long time. We did not request an autopsy, it doesn't really matter how he died. Only that he died. His wishes were carried out to have his body donated to the UW Madison Med School for research. He had the worst case of rheumatoid arthritis many people had ever seen, so he hoped that his body would be of value for researchers. We held a "happy hour" instead of a funeral, at Dad's request, at the Eagles' Club in my hometown. So many friends and family came to show their support, and I'm so thankful for all the cards and emails as well.

I think my Dad was the most excited of all the family about Micah, so it is tough to know that he won't be here when the little guy is born. We had planned on naming him Micah Edmund, following Andy's family tradition of a boy with the middle name Edmund, but we have now decided on Micah David to honor my dad. I don't know where my dad stood spiritually, so it is hard to think about not having another chance to share Jesus with him... but I know that God is just, and I know that He cares, and so I rest in the knowledge that my Dad is exactly where he belongs according to God's perfect judgment. The joy of the Lord is my strength!!